Expert Corrective Breast Surgery
If you’re considering changes to your existing breast implants, you’re not alone. Many women across Scotland opt for corrective breast surgery to address concerns from previous procedures, change implant size, or even remove implants entirely. At Merchant City Medical Group in Edinburgh, we specialise in safe, effective breast implant revision and removal procedures tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with complications or simply wish for a change, our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalised care that prioritises your comfort, safety, and confidence.
Procedure overview
TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC
General
LENGTH OF SURGERY
1-2 Hours
HOSPITAL STAY
0-1 Day
RECOVERY
1-2 weeks off work, 6 weeks before strenuous exercise
Corrective Breast Surgery
- Upsizing/Downsizing: Adjust the size of your implants to better match evolving preferences.
- Capsular Contracture: Abnormal scar tissue around the implant causing hardening, pain, or changes in shape.
- Implant Visibility: Issues such as seeing or feeling the implant edges, ripples, or folds.
- Implant Malposition: Shifts in the position of the implant, leading to aesthetic concerns like poor cleavage or high-riding implants.
- Tissue Changes: Drooping breast tissue, asymmetry, or loss of skin elasticity due to ageing, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations.
- Breast Implant Illness (BII): Symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues, which may improve after implant removal in some cases.
- Explant Surgery: Involves removing the implants and surrounding scar tissue, often due to dissatisfaction, capsular contracture, or BII.
- Improved Well-being: Many patients experience significant improvements in physical health and well-being following implant removal.
- Additional Procedures: After explant surgery, a breast lift may be recommended to address changes in appearance.
Procedures
- Implant Removal and Replacement: Removing old implants and replacing them with the same or a different size, type, or shape based on patient needs and preferences.
- Capsulectomy: Removal of thickened, contracted scar tissue (capsule) that forms around the implant, often caused by capsular contracture.
- Capsulotomy: Modification of the implant pocket to accommodate a larger implant or reduce the gap between implants.
- Bottoming Out Correction: Adjusting the implant pocket to address sagging of the breast crease and lack of support, improving breast positioning.
- Implant Pocket Switch: Moving the implant pocket from above to below the muscle to correct rippling or recurrent capsular contracture.
- Mastopexy (Breast Uplift/Reshaping): Lifting and reshaping the breasts to address drooping, creating a firmer and more youthful appearance.
What to Expect and Breast Implant Aftercare
Some pain is typical in the first few days, particularly if your implants were placed under the muscle. You may also experience numbness around your nipples and incision areas. Temporary soreness, tightness, swelling, and bruising are common, along with some discomfort at the incision sites. Your breasts may also be sensitive to touch or stimulation for a few weeks.
Expect your breasts to feel tight and swollen for several days after surgery. Bruising is not uncommon and will gradually fade.
Most of the swelling and discolouration will subside within 4-6 weeks. Scars may appear red and raised initially, but over time, they will soften and fade. The final shape and appearance of your breasts will become fully apparent after around 6 months.
What are the risks?
Commonly Asked Questions
We use a sizing kit to help you visualize your ideal size, and 3D imaging allows you to see potential results. We'll also discuss implant types (round or anatomical) and placement options (above, below the muscle, or dual plane) to guide your decision.
Implants don't need replacing after a set time, but over the years, issues like rupture, capsular contracture, or changes in breast shape may require revision surgery.
If your breasts have sagged, a combination of breast enlargement and a breast uplift (augmentation mastopexy) may be needed. Factors like nipple position and previous pregnancies are considered to determine the best approach.
At Merchant City Medical Group, breast augmentation prices start from £5800. This includes your consultation, surgery, and post-operative care. The cost may vary based on your specific needs, implant type, and any additional procedures. A detailed estimate will be provided during your consultation.
Fat transfer is an option for a modest increase in size. Fat is taken from other areas (e.g., tummy or thighs) and injected into the breasts. It’s a natural option, but the results are typically more subtle, and some fat may be reabsorbed by the body.
Natural: Uses your own body’s fat, making it a more natural option.
No Implants: Avoids risks such as implant rupture or capsular contracture.
Body Recontouring: Liposuction can also reshape areas like your abdomen or thighs.
Minimal Scarring: Small incisions are used for fat harvesting and injection.
Limited Enlargement: Typically only results in a modest increase in breast size.
Fat Reabsorption: Some of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body, meaning you may need multiple treatments for optimal results.
Not Effective for Droopiness: Fat transfer may not be suitable for correcting significant sagging.
Higher Cost: Since fat transfer involves both liposuction and breast augmentation, it tends to be more expensive than traditional breast augmentation with implants
You may not have enough fat available for transfer, especially if you're happy with your body shape.
Multiple fat transfers might be needed to achieve the desired size.
For simple implant exchanges, recovery is similar to the first surgery. However, more complex procedures (e.g., capsular contracture, implant repositioning) may involve a longer recovery period. Your surgeon will provide a tailored recovery plan based on the procedure.
Excellence Record
- 30+ Years of combined experience
- 10 + Experts
- 1000 + Satisfied Patients
